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I've been learning the notes and how to read sheet music on off for the past year, the only problem is I worry about using the bow to practice because it's loud even with a silencer..... But it's getting to the point where I can't improve any more without it, how do I get over my practice anxiety and has anyone else ever had this?
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Do you live in an apartment building, or with roommates? If neither of these, I'm sure your neighbors can't hear you. I am quite a bit introverted/shy and struggled with this... and really the only way to get past it is to just push through and do it, and make yourself get used to it little by little.
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damfino said
Do you live in an apartment building, or with roommates? If neither of these, I'm sure your neighbors can't hear you. I am quite a bit introverted/shy and struggled with this... and really the only way to get past it is to just push through and do it, and make yourself get used to it little by little.I only worry about my neighbors hearing me when I have my windows open, otherwise I just lock myself in my room and practice away. I've been learning for 9 months now, and am just about to the point that I don't care who can hear me. I still get nervous if I'm in the same room with someone, but if I'm alone, I don't worry what my neighbors think, if they can even hear me.
No, but I live in a semi detached house and one of my neighbours bedrooms is through the wall to mine..
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I would think if you, or they, don't work odd hours, practicing before 9 or 10pm would keep them from hearing you. The house next door to me, on the side of the house where I practice in my room, is separated by a narrow driveway, and that's their bedroom window... and since I've heard them have loud arguments before (I liked to imagine they were arguing about buying a house next door to someone learning to play the violin) I always figure they can hear me practice, so I just keep my practice time before 10pm and figure they are off in another room where they most likely can't hear me.
Are you ever able to hear your neighbor's TV or radio? I know a friend who lived in a side-by-side and you could hear their neighbor sneeze, lol, but other doubles I had been in were really sound proof and at most you'd hear footsteps. If you rarely hear them, then chances are they won't hear you... the violin is something that always sounds way louder to us playing than it does to everyone else.
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buy a second bow. Exact to what you play with. This new one, do NOT add any rosin.
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Ripton said
buy a second bow. Exact to what you play with. This new one, do NOT add any rosin.
Really? I heard that could damage the strings?
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damfino said
I would think if you, or they, don't work odd hours, practicing before 9 or 10pm would keep them from hearing you. The house next door to me, on the side of the house where I practice in my room, is separated by a narrow driveway, and that's their bedroom window... and since I've heard them have loud arguments before (I liked to imagine they were arguing about buying a house next door to someone learning to play the violin) I always figure they can hear me practice, so I just keep my practice time before 10pm and figure they are off in another room where they most likely can't hear me.Are you ever able to hear your neighbor's TV or radio? I know a friend who lived in a side-by-side and you could hear their neighbor sneeze, lol, but other doubles I had been in were really sound proof and at most you'd hear footsteps. If you rarely hear them, then chances are they won't hear you... the violin is something that always sounds way louder to us playing than it does to everyone else.
It's not that bad, But I can hear them singing sometimes.
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xTIDx said
Ripton said
buy a second bow. Exact to what you play with. This new one, do NOT add any rosin.Really? I heard that could damage the strings?
I'm no expert on the matter. I just know what helps me when my wife is sleeping. If this is true, I'd probably want to change my practice. Does anyone else have info on this?
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xTIDx said
damfino said
I would think if you, or they, don't work odd hours, practicing before 9 or 10pm would keep them from hearing you. The house next door to me, on the side of the house where I practice in my room, is separated by a narrow driveway, and that's their bedroom window... and since I've heard them have loud arguments before (I liked to imagine they were arguing about buying a house next door to someone learning to play the violin) I always figure they can hear me practice, so I just keep my practice time before 10pm and figure they are off in another room where they most likely can't hear me.Are you ever able to hear your neighbor's TV or radio? I know a friend who lived in a side-by-side and you could hear their neighbor sneeze, lol, but other doubles I had been in were really sound proof and at most you'd hear footsteps. If you rarely hear them, then chances are they won't hear you... the violin is something that always sounds way louder to us playing than it does to everyone else.
It's not that bad, But I can hear them singing sometimes.
Maybe if they could hear you, they'd sing along with you. 
I second what @damfino said. You just have to play through it and get used to people hearing you play. That's the only way...no magic tricks or silver bullets. It's something that all musicians have to go through, so you're in good company!
Good luck! 
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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thanks, I think it's just because I can only play simple stuff, so I'm worried it sounds bad lol.
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I bought a cheap electric violin on eBay to use when I don't want to disturb the wife (NEVER a good thing to do) and play with headphones on.
She doesn't mind the acoustic when I'm playing something I already know, but for the most part, when sight reading or practicing my bowing and fingering exercises, I use the electric.
When no one but me is home, I plug the electric into an amp and play with effects! Makes practice a little more fun!
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Just play. Don't worry about people being judgmental. Think of it like this. Most of them probably couldn't play a violin at all. And the ones who can are usually non-judgemental as they had tio go through the same learning process.
As far as keeping the sound of the violin down low so as not to disturb people during late night hours, etc. Get one of those heavy duty practice mutes. I use one here and I could be playing at 3:00 am and not disturb people sleeping in the next room. You just place it gently on top of the bridge (don't press it down hard) and it dampens the vibrations and dramatically reduces the sound volume. Take it off the bridge when you are not playing and make sure you take it off the violin before you put the viiolin in the case otherwise you could risk damaging the violin if there is not enough clearance between the mute and the top of the case. Otherwise they work great.
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I say get a good mute if it is going to bother you. Its supposed to be fun and having nerves will wreck it for you. Trust me on this.
For the record I quit taking lessons after 10 months because I was so shy to play in front of my teacher.. I couldn't even sleep the night before.
What good did that do me. I haven't had lessons since. But I can play in front of friends now a little and I can practice openly.
When it comes to the family... I have learned not to care even a bit.. if they don't like it.. I have very little care about that. LOL.
Good luck.
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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When my grand-baby is sleeping I don't bow but pluck the notes. I figure I am still working on the timing, intonation, fingering and memorizing the music!
Violinist start date - May 2013
Fiddler start date - May 2014
FIDDLE- Gift from a dear friend. A 1930-40 german copy, of a french copy of a Stradivarius. BOW - $50 carbon fiber. Strings - Dominants with E Pirastro Gold string.
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Anything is better than nothing as long as you consciously work on something that could potentially lead to improvement.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Buy an Electric Violin, they are quiet on there own plus you can just pop some Headphones in and no one will hear you, I quite like mine through the Headphones.
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It sounds like you can;t play or practice without others hearing you. Kind of a conundrum.
Try making a video of yourself before actually playing. Talk to them and share the video. Let them hear you in a controlled situation. Before showing, if you want, explain you are not sharing because you are looking for criticism, but to get over your reluctance to practice or play because they might hear you. That might help. Or do it with the person or persons you know will understand, and explain to them why you are sharing the video and why you have issues playing and practicing. That or those people will help out. You may find that they do not hear it as much as you think they do.
May or may not work in your circumstance, but might for others. Hope I said it right.
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